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'Finally we are being RESPECTED' Italy gloats as Merkel forced into desperate phone call

ITALY’S new coalition government triumphantly gloated the country was being "respected" following a "worried" phone call from Angela Merkel to Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte as the migrant crisis threatens her future.

Italy has threatened to boycott Sunday’s emergency EU mini-summit on immigration, called after the German Chancellor was given a two week deadline to change policies.

Mrs Merkel has asked for extra money from EU nations to deal with the crisis. But Italy said they would refuse to sign any joint statement after a draft text of the budget was released ahead of the meeting, insisting they did not want to send more money to the EU.

Now it seems a proudly defiant Rome, which shut its borders to refugees amid anger over the EU's open migration policy, confirmed they will join other nations at the summit, including France, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria Greece, Malta and the Netherlands.

Italy has accused the EU of ignoring its concerns over immigration in order to help the German Chancellor to stay in power following a bitter feud in her own coalition government.

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Mr Conte took to Facebook to reveal a phone call that had taken place between he and Ms Merkel, stating the German leader has been worried about his previous threat to not attend Sunday's meeting.

Mr Conte wrote: "I just got a call from Chancellor Angela Merkel, worried about the possibility that I could not attend the pre-summit on Sunday in Brussels on immigration.

"I have confirmed her that it would have been unacceptable for me to take part in this summit with a pre-arranged text.

"The Chancellor clarified that there was a ‘misunderstanding’: the draft text released yesterday will be forgotten.

Mr Di Maio said he had discussed issues with Mrs Merkel over the phone while Mr Salvini gloated (Image: GETTY)

"On Sunday, the Italian proposal will be discussed, as well as the proposals of other countries. The meeting will not end with a written text, but only with a summary of the issues addressed and on which we will continue to discuss during the next European Council."

Signing off, he wrote: "Nobody can ignore our position. See you on Sunday in Brussels"

But Italian news agency Ansa reported that anti-establishment party Five Star Movement (MS5) leader and newly appointed deputy Prime Minister Luigo Di Maio - who forms part of Italy's contested new government, took to Twitter shortly after the post.

He seemingly gloated and made reference to the nervous phone call that allegedly took place between the leaders.

Writing on Twitter on Friday, Mr Di Maio proudly wrote: “Finally I see a respected Italy in Europe and in the world. So keep up, Mr. Giuseppe Conte!”

Mrs Merkel will try to persuade other EU leaders to curb immigration and restrict the movement of Asylum seekers at the mini-summit, responding to growing unrest in Germany and Italy.

Jean-Claude Juncker said the meeting was being held “for those interested in finding European solutions.

The news comes after far-right Interior Minister and Lega leader Matteo Salvini struck out at non-governmental organisations (NGO's) and "do-gooders" and shut down Rome's harbours to a ship, belonging to German charity LifeLine, carrying around 350 migrants rescued in Libyan waters.